providing help with your vb app

[funkyd77]

I think i may need to provide help with my vb application. I was just reading in the MSDN stuff that there are 2 types of help - WinHelp (.hlp files) and HtmlHelp (.chm files).

The msdn also says that there are heaps of tools available for authoring help files - are there any tool *within* vb that can be used or are we going to have to buy some tool.

If buying is the case then which help builders do people use? Is robohelp a tool for creating help files?

thanks in advance,

[But_Why]

Robohelp is a help file editor, i have never used it, so i can't help you on that one. But i do use HTMLHelp. I'd recommend it. Its fairly easy to use and can handle all sorts of stuff, like META commands in HTML and also some Javascripting stuff, to make your help file all the more fun for the users. And best of all, its free (i think).

But then i'm not comparing it to anything. i tried to use a Winhelp compiler ages ago and it sucked, but i'd say by now its heaps easier.

BW

[invitro]

Yeah i think u gotta buy some tools. But hey, if u want to take the easy way out, make your help in HTML format. And include that in your prog, then just execute it from ur app and the help will launch ur users default browser.

Make it look good and everything will be ok!
Oops, i dint read But_Why's post!

[funkyd77]

cool - thanks to both of you...i might try doing it the html way if my company doesn't want to fork out for a tool.

you can download a HTML help(chm) maker from MSDN, I would give you the link, but I have a hard time finding my way around MS

and the help tool is free